The Foley Law Firm Recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2024 The Foley Law Firm, with offices in Scranton and Stroudsburg, has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2024 edition for selection among the Best Law Firms. The Foley Firm was lauded for multiple areas in the Best Law Firms rankings including for Plaintiffs’ Medical Malpractice, and Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation as well as Claimants Workers’ Compensation Law. The firm was also recognized for Insurance Litigation. Previously this year four of the Law Firm’s attorneys were honored as among the Best Lawyers in America® 2024. Firm founder Attorney Thomas Foley Jr., Attorney Kevin Foley, Attorney Michael Foley, and Attorney Thomas Foley III were all recognized for the prestigious honor.
Children’s Advocacy Center Announces Executive Director Honorable Judge Michael J. Barrasse, President of the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA Board of Directors has announced their selection of Meghan Lennox Gagorik as the Center’s new Executive Director. Meghan Gagorik most recently served as the Division Director for the American Heart Association, overseeing Northeast and Central Pennsylvania and the Pocono Region. In her over 18 years of community service, Meghan served in numerous volunteer leadership and community-focused professional roles. She has overseen both non-profit and private-sector teams with a focus on addressing and overcoming health disparities and individuals’ inequities in the community. Meghan holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree from Lackawanna College and a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Management from Eastern University. Judge Barrasse stated, “The Children’s Advocacy Center is delighted to welcome Meghan Gagorik as our new Executive Director. The Center’s Board completed an aggressive search and Meghan stood out, not only as an experienced candidate, but also as someone who is committed to protecting and nurturing children with compassion. Her dedication to advancing the mission of the CAC is truly impressive.” “I am honored to lead the important work and dedicated staff of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” related, Ms. Gagorik. “The Center’s work of protecting and healing children who have been subjected to abuse and neglect is critical in our community. Working closely with area law enforcement, prosecutors, case workers and other community partners to provide supportive care for children and families is the highest mission. CAC of NEPA does it best.” Among the various boards and committees, Meghan has served Coaches vs. Cancer, Geisinger Northeast Advisory Council, Geisinger Northeast Women’s Leadership Council, and the Spirit of Hope benefiting NRCI. She is a past chair of Relay for Life and the Coaches vs. Cancer Gala. Her board service includes The American Cancer Society, Leadership Lackawanna, and the Everhart Museum of Natural History. Meghan has received multiple awards for her work, including the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA’s Child Advocate of the Year Award, the Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award, Distinctive Women of Northeast PA, the Saddle of Hope Award, Top 25 Women in Business, and the Sam & Jane Cali Star Award.
Nick Bagdonis Promoted to Project Executive for Quandel Energy Solutions Quandel Energy Solutions, a leading provider of building solutions and energy savings services, is pleased to announce the promotion of Nick Bagdonis to the position of project executive. With 15 years in the industry, including extensive experience in maintenance and engineering management, Bagdonis joined Quandel Construction Group in 2022 as a senior project manager, quickly becoming an invaluable asset to the company. In his new role as project executive, Bagdonis will spearhead and coordinate all facets of energy-saving construction projects, demonstrating his proficiency in planning, scheduling, and budget management. His keen focus on delivering projects safely, on time, within budget, and exceeding customer expectations has earned him this well-deserved promotion. Quandel Energy Solutions recognizes Bagdonis as a results-driven leader with a proven track record of successfully completing projects to the satisfaction of clients. Rob Strickler, Vice President of Quandel Energy Solutions, commented, “Nick’s promotion to project executive is a testament to his ability to identify innovative solutions that enhance energy efficiency for our clients. His dedication to exceeding project owner expectations and leading our team toward continued success is unparalleled.” Bagdonis brings a wealth of knowledge to his role and possesses numerous industry certifications. He is an active participant in various industry and community organizations, showcasing his commitment to professional development and community engagement. “Quandel is proud to have Nick on our team, and we are confident that his expertise and leadership will drive our energy-saving construction projects to new heights,” continued Strickler. “We eagerly anticipate his success in this pivotal role and helping to drive the growth of this business unit.” Quandel Energy Solutions is enthusiastic about the promising future with Bagdonis in this elevated role, leading the team toward further accomplishments and innovations in the field of energy-saving construction projects.
Scranton Named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Places to Retire U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in retirement rankings and consumer advice, has named Scranton as one of the 2024 Best Places to Retire. Scranton ranks 4th in the overall rankings. “It’s gratifying to have U.S. News confirm what we here in Scranton know – this is a welcoming, nurturing community with housing options that are more achievable than most other places,” said Mayor Paige G. Cognetti. “We’re honored to be named a ‘Best Place to Retire’ and will keep working hard to offer even more value to existing and new residents.” This year’s list evaluated the country’s 150 most populous metropolitan areas based on how well they meet Americans’ expectations for retirement, with measures including affordability, health care, desirability, and overall happiness. “The decision of where to spend your retirement years requires much consideration for many retirees,” says Beverly Harzog, personal finance expert at U.S. News. “The Best Places to Retire rankings provides support to retirees by highlighting places that most meet their wants and needs.” The six measures factored into this year’s rankings were weighted based on a public survey of individuals across the U.S. who are at or approaching retirement age (45 and older) to find out what matters most to people when they’re considering where to retire. Data sources include the U.S. Census Bureau, FEMA National Risk Index, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sharecare and U.S. News’ Best Hospitals rankings. This year, affordability is most heavily weighted out of the six factors in the 2024 Best Places to Retire methodology, including happiness, health care quality, retiree taxes, desirability, and job market ratings.
Pennsylvania American Water Announces Disaster Relief Support The American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF), a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, and Pennsylvania American Water, today announced a $10,000 donation to the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support disaster relief to flood victims in Lackawanna County. Areas of the county were impacted by heavy rains and flooding in early September. “Pennsylvania American Water, in collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, is pleased to support the families and communities impacted by the devastating flooding that occurred,” said Justin Ladner, president of Pennsylvania American Water and a board member of the American Water Charitable Foundation. “We understand how critical clean, safe drinking water is in our daily lives and in times of emergencies. We hope this contribution can provide some assistance and relief to the residents of these affected communities who are still recovering from flood damage.” “We are grateful for the support from Pennsylvania American Water,” stated Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO. “The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will aim to meet the greatest array of needs of the organizations and communities disproportionately impacted by flood events in Lackawanna County.” The Foundation’s Disaster Relief Grant Program is designed to increase the impact of American Water employee donations made in response to natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, fires and other extraordinary disaster events.
Johnson College to Hold Instant Decision Day for Veterans and Current U.S Military Service Members Johnson College’s Instant Decision Day for Veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Military will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. virtually and inside Woolworth Hall on the Johnson College Scranton campus. To register to attend in person or virtually, visit johnson.edu/instant. During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective veteran students and those currently serving in the U.S. military with an immediate enrollment decision. They must supply their high school transcripts and can bring their college and military transcripts if applicable. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes an application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
NEPIRC Adds SafeLandUSA Certification to Expanded Safety Training Portfolio The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) announces that Brian Matyjevich, Lean enterprise consultant and authorized OSHA outreach trainer, recently obtained SafeLandUSA trainer certification from West Virginia University. SafeLandUSA training is an eight-hour course that meets the requirements of several regulations pertaining to safety standards applicable to the natural gas and Marcellus Shale industry, particularly API RP 75 and API RP T-1. SafeLandUSA training enables employees to recognize potential workplace hazards and follow the safety requirements of an industry with which they may have limited familiarity. Although SafeLandUSA was developed with the oil and gas industry in mind, many topics presented are applicable to other energy and manufacturing sectors. “I’m honored to offer training that will empower oil and gas workers to make safe decisions for their livelihood,” said Matyjevich. “The results of this training include creating a more efficient, sustainable and productive workforce that drives progress and shapes the future of energy,” he added. As NEPIRC continues its mission to support the manufacturing sector by providing exceptional consulting and training services, its SafeLandUSA offering adds another element to its comprehensive safety training portfolio. NEPIRC is confident that this development will contribute to a safer working environment for clients and their employees. NEPIRC offers OSHA 10 & 30, HAZWOPER, Forklift and 35 other safety courses along with a free confidential EHS Gemba walk.
PS Bank Hires New Chief Information Officer Anthony J. Gabello, President and Chief Executive Officer, is pleased to announce the hiring of Eli Tomlinson as Chief Information Officer/Senior Vice President. Mr. Tomlinson has over 20 years of experience working in banking at the senior level, with expertise in the areas of information systems, cybersecurity, strategic planning, risk assessment, project implementation, and process improvement. Mr. Tomlin is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Community Bank Technology Officer (CCBTO). He attended Rutgers University. Prior to joining PS Bank, Mr. Tomlinson worked at a regional bank as senior vice president of information technology. His previous work experience includes network administration and software publishing. “Eli brings tremendous experience to PS Bank. His strong knowledge of banking systems, technology, and cybersecurity will be a valuable asset as we continue to grow our bank. As our Chief Information Officer/Senior Vice President, Eli will be a vital member of our leadership team,” said Gabello. Mr. Tomlinson resides in Clarks Summit with his wife, Clel. They have two children, Alex of Scranton and Sean of Detroit, MI.
Marion Munley Named Treasurer for the American Association for Justice Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is pleased to announce that Marion Munley was recently sworn in as the Treasurer for the American Association for Justice (AAJ). The American Association of Justice is a 20,000-member organization of plaintiff attorneys dedicated to protecting the rights of trial by jury. The mission of the AAJ is to promote justice and fairness for injured victims, safeguard victims’ rights, and strengthen the civil justice system througheducation and disclosure of information critical to public safety and health. Marion has held several positions in the AAJ over the years. She was elected as the AAJ Parliamentarian in 2022 and has served on the Board of Governors and its Executive Committee. In 2018, she was the first woman to become the Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigations Group andreceived the organization’s Robert W. Munley Champion of Justice Award in 2020. Widely recognized as one of the state’s most prominent and widely respected truck accident lawyers, Marion is Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law. Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale-Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating. Marion is the second woman in Pennsylvania to become Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Among her other professional affiliations are the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Society of Barristers, and the Summit Council, an exclusive group of today’s top civil justice attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system. She is also the immediate past President of the Melvin M. Belli Society, a group of the country’s top trial lawyers dedicated to promoting courtroom excellence. During her career, Marion has received some of the highest honors a lawyer can receive. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012, Marion has been named the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She has also been recognized as Best Lawyers® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and, the 2022 and 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury-Plaintiffs for the Allentown metro area. Marion has also been selected to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for the last 18 years and was recently named to the 2023 “Top 10” Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List. A graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1986), Marion received her undergraduate degree from Scranton University in 1983.
Geisinger Uses AI Technology in Fight Against Lung Cancer Geisinger has begun using a new patient management system to expand its ability to identify and manage patients with incidentally identified lung abnormalities, as well as manage those eligible for lung cancer screening. Nationally, incidental abnormalities are found about 40% of the time during imaging tests that are unrelated to the reason the test was ordered. In 2020, Geisinger implemented the STAIR™ Program (which stands for System to Track Abnormalities of Importance Reliably) to help manage these patients. If an incidental lung abnormality is found, the provider refers the patient to the STAIR team, which evaluates the patient and establishes a care plan. “The mission of the STAIR program is to ensure that all patients with important radiology findings get the care they need at the time they need it — the first time, every time,” said Yatin Mehta, M.D., Geisinger pulmonologist and STAIR Program director. The program has made sure patients have follow-up care, but referring, tracking and managing patients was time-consuming. The new patient management technology, in partnership with Denver-based health company Eon, automatically enrolls patients with an incidental finding in the STAIR program. The Eon system’s AI-driven workflow tracks the patient’s journey and flags the care team when necessary for timely follow-up care. “Tracking patients behind the scenes, automating workflows and removing busywork not only enables the care team to manage and bring back significantly more patients, but also frees them up to spend more time on direct patient care,” said Nathan Boehlke, Eon director of implementation. “The STAIR program and lung cancer screening program are two important ways that we can catch cancer earlier when the patient has a chance to be cured,” Dr. Mehta said. “We’re excited to work with Eon on innovation that’s making a difference by allowing our staff to manage more patients more efficiently — and ultimately saving lives with earlier intervention.”
